English

Running Towards the Challenge, Together

By Gabe Evans, State Representative

Republican nominee for Colorado’s 8^th Congressional District.

Haga click aquí para leer la versión en español

I’ve been a solider, police officer, and state representative. Each of those jobs taught me the importance of working with others to find common ground and solve problems. That’s what I plan to do in Congress.

As an Arvada police officer working a patrol shift, I usually responded to about 1,800 calls for service each year, and made around 40 arrests. That means about 1,760 times every year, I wasn’t arresting someone; I was helping solve a non-criminal problem. When I arrived on the scene, I didn’t ask if someone was a Republican or a Democrat, and my political affiliation also didn’t matter. I was there to solve a problem, keep the peace, help people get on with their lives, and serve everyone in the community.

As a captain in the US Army and Colorado Army National Guard, I commanded about 50 aircrew members. Flying Black Hawk helicopters together, I knew the most important asset in my unit was my soldiers. My highest priority as commander was maintaining a positive work environment for my soldiers. I focused on taking care of my people, and they responded by giving me a 100% approval rating on a survey asking what it was like to work for me. During the two years I was in command, 99% of my soldiers chose to re-enlist and continue serving with me. In part, this was because I always placed my people first, and they trusted me to be their commander.

I’ve brought this attitude of placing people first and problem solving into my political career. As a Republican State Representative at the capitol in Denver, I’ve been in the minority party: 19 Republicans to 46 Democrats. Nevertheless, I was able to pass 60% of my bills. How? By focusing on fixing problems, actively seeking common ground, and having real conversations about the issues that impact Colorado families. My Democrat colleagues, whether they agree with me politically or not, know I’m an honest person focused on finding solutions, solving problems, and helping our country, state, and community.

My opponent, Yadira Caraveo, often claims to be bipartisan. But when you look at her record, she votes with her party 91% of the time. She voted to defund the police, give taxpayer handouts to newly arrived illegal immigrants, lower the penalty for fentanyl dealers, attack Colorado’s oil and gas workers, and attack Colorado agriculture. This isn’t bipartisan, and it isn’t common sense! We need leaders who are committed to finding real solutions, not just pretending to be bipartisan during campaign season.

And Congress must find bipartisan solutions. Whether it’s fixing our broken immigration system and addressing the crisis at our southern border, combating the fentanyl epidemic that is claiming the lives of our young people, tackling inflation to bring down the cost of living, or protecting good jobs, I am ready to work with anyone committed to finding solving problems.

My grandfather, Cuauhtemoc Chavez, immigrated to the United States from Mexico for the American Dream. I’m eager to represent Colorado’s 8th District in Congress and continue fighting for that Dream. Together, we can create a safer, more affordable future for our families and generations to come. I humbly ask for your vote, so we can get to work — together.